I think we can all agree that some people take the new social web far beyond the boundaries of social norms where (unfortunately) see and get to share in experiences that we’d probably rather not join in on.
For example, tweets from the bathroom stall are simply not necessary! And much of what I hear from that web app called FourSquare in my Twitter-stream is pretty useless too.
Where are our boundaries as civil human beings? Has technology seriously challenged our existing social structures and norms?
Check out this article that I read recently about a growing trend among pregnant women who are tweeting and updating Facebook while giving birth:
Texting intimate and inconsequential details to the masses has become standard for many people – and there’s been debate about how much is too much.
But whether it’s announcing ultrasound results, describing food cravings, or, in some cases, giving play-by-play labor details (one man from Wisconsin famously tweeted the birth of his son last year), sharing and social media have indeed entered a new realm, one historically considered a very private experience.
Fascinating and somewhat disturbing to some I’d imagine.
The article continues on:
The fact that there is an application for Facebook called My Pregnancy and that random strangers are privy to what used to be private details of a woman’s or couple’s life certainly represents a huge societal shift.
I’d say so.
As much involved as I am in the internet and online space I still try my best to maintain a controlled and careful online broadcast strategy about my family and personal matters. It’s not that I’m being un-authentic but, at least for me, there are some things that the public just shouldn’t know about.
Thoughts?
Adam Lehman says
tweeting during birth is pretty nuts.
I know a guy who created a twitter account for his baby and then updated it – for his new son – as the son was being born.
I think we miss out on being present during the times when we pause to think about how to share a moment. My wife and I just went to a fantastic concert and promised ourselves that we’d take neither video or pictures during the show. Instead we simply strove to enjoy and soak up some great art. It was our favorite concert ever.
Now I’m not saying that we ought to neglect sharing stuff on Social Networks – i obviously do very often – but there ARE times that we can simply have a moment of life that is our very own.
austinklee says
w00t! I love this article…for purely selfish reasons of course.